Sanjay Raut Targets Mangal Lodha Over KEM Renaming Demand, Cites ‘Lodha Trump Tower’ Contradiction
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| ANI |
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP on Sunday questioned Maharashtra Minister over his demand to remove “King Edward” from the name of Mumbai’s iconic King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital. Raut highlighted what he called a contradiction, pointing out that Lodha’s real estate group owns and markets Lodha Trump Tower in Worli.
Raut’s remarks have reignited the debate over colonial-era names in public institutions and raised questions about consistency in political and corporate branding.
Row Over KEM Hospital Name
The controversy began after Mangal Lodha, speaking at the centenary celebrations of KEM Hospital, called for dropping “King Edward” from its name. He described the British-era reference as a symbol of colonial rule and slavery.
“King Edward has nothing to do with us. The municipality should consider dropping the name as it is not Indian,” Lodha said. He added that despite the completion of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, colonial footprints continued to exist in public spaces.
KEM Hospital, one of Mumbai’s most respected public medical institutions, serves lakhs of patients annually and is globally recognised for its medical services. While officially called King Edward Memorial Hospital, it is commonly known simply as “KEM” among residents.
Raut’s Counter on ‘Foreign Names’
Reacting sharply, Sanjay Raut accused Lodha of selective nationalism. In a post on X, he questioned why foreign names were unacceptable in public spaces but acceptable in private business ventures.
“If foreign or colonial names are the issue, shouldn’t ‘Trump’ be removed too? Consistency, anyone?” Raut wrote.
Raut pointed out that Lodha Group’s Trump Tower in Worli is named after former US President , making Lodha’s argument against foreign names appear contradictory.
According to Raut, removing colonial symbols should be a principled stand, not a politically convenient one. He argued that public health institutions should not be dragged into ideological debates for political mileage.
Support from Opposition Leaders
Raut’s criticism found support from Nationalist Congress Party MP , who also questioned Lodha’s stance.
Kolhe highlighted the naming pattern of Lodha Group’s projects, including Lodha Belmondo, Lodha Palagio, Alta Mount, Casa Bella, and Trump Towers. He questioned why none of the projects carried Indian or culturally rooted names.
“Why were they never named Ramkutir, Sita Sadan, or Lakshmi Niwas?” Kolhe asked. He added that for most citizens, KEM Hospital is already a brand and a lifeline, regardless of its historical name.
Kolhe also pointed out that ordinary patients rarely use the hospital’s full name and are more concerned with medical care than symbolic politics.
Political Context Behind the Debate
The debate comes amid growing efforts by several political parties to rename public institutions, roads, and landmarks that carry colonial-era names. Supporters argue such changes are necessary to reclaim cultural identity, while critics view them as distractions from governance issues.
In Maharashtra, the issue has gained prominence as ruling and opposition parties seek to shape narratives around nationalism, heritage, and development. KEM Hospital’s centenary provided an opportunity for this ideological clash to surface publicly.
Our Thoughts
The controversy over KEM Hospital’s name reflects a larger pattern in Indian politics, where historical symbols are increasingly used as tools for political positioning. While reassessing colonial legacies is legitimate, such exercises must be rooted in consistency and public interest.
Sanjay Raut’s criticism exposes an important contradiction: opposing foreign names in public institutions while embracing them in private business weakens the credibility of the argument. If the goal is cultural revival, it must apply uniformly across public and private spheres.
More importantly, KEM Hospital represents healthcare access for millions, not colonial symbolism. Turning a premier medical institution into a political battleground risks diverting attention from urgent issues such as infrastructure, staffing, and patient care.
For policymakers, the priority should be strengthening public services rather than symbolic renaming. Cultural identity matters, but governance credibility matters more. Without consistency and sensitivity, such debates risk appearing performative rather than transformative.